On May 26, DU Programming Board’s (DUPB) seventh annual MusicFest will take place at the Ogden Theater. The night will contain three shows: student opener Late Night, another opener not yet named and the headlining performance by D.R.A.M (Does Real Ass Music). D.R.A.M. is pretty new in the music scene, but the quick rising star has already made quite an impact in the hip-hop world. For those that wish to brush up on the performer before his MusicFest gig, here’s a list of the top five ways to get to know D.R.A.M:
1. “Cha Cha”
“Cha Cha” is D.R.A.M’s debut single. The sing-along, dancy tune was most people’s introduction to D.R.A.M. The song virally gained steam throughout 2015, through platforms such as Vine and Instagram, and the song’s official music video has nearly 19 million views on YouTube.
2. “Broccoli”
The song that truly brought D.R.A.M into the mainstream, and the song that you most likely have heard the most, is “Broccoli” feat. Lil Yachty. The bouncy, recorder-backed marijuana smoking anthem was released in the spring of 2016, but exploded into the public consciousness throughout the summer and fall, controlling airwaves and aux cords across the nation. The single has gone five times platinum and peaked at number five on the U.S. Billboard charts.
3. “Cash Machine”
Following the viral sensation of “Broccoli,” and to capitalize on his new found fame and to promote his album, “Big Baby D.R.A.M.,” D.R.A.M. released the single “Cash Machine.” The song is dedicated to his money counter, and it received much acclaim and buzz upon its release. The song shows off a more braggadocious and rappy D.R.A.M.
4. NPR Tiny Desk Concert
Back in February, NPR posted an installment of their intimate, long running Tiny Desk Concert seriesfeaturing the infectiously smiling D.R.A.M. Tiny Desk Concerts are in an intimate, acoustic setting and seeing the singer-songwriter in this setting was a great way to see D.R.A.M.’s natural talent.
5. D.R.A.M and Chance the Rapper
D.R.A.M was featured on two songs off of Chance’s third mixtape, “Coloring Book.” The first song, “D.R.A.M. sings Special,” finds the singer performing an adorable lullaby in his baritone, scruffy voice, while “Blessings (reprise)” has D.R.A.M. singing in a choir of hip hop cantors. The best rendition of this song can be found in Chance’s live performance on Jimmy Fallon, in which he and D.R.A.M, Raury, Ty Dolla $ign and Anthony Hamilton perform the song in a beautiful late night setting.
